Wireless signal transmitting antenna, wireless signal receiving antenna, wireless signal transmitting system, wireless signal transmitting method, and wireless signal receiving method

ABSTRACT

When wireless communication is performed, a signal can be formed into a spiral beam (H), the spiral pitch of the signal can be changed, and a plurality of spiral beams (H) with different spiral pitches can be transmitted and received. A wireless signal transmitting antenna ( 10 ) includes a signal emitting means (A) having N number of antenna elements (A 1 , . . . , AN) (where N is an integer satisfying N≧2) equally spaced on a circumference of circle, and a signal distribution means (B) for generating, from an input first signal (S), N number of second signals (G 1 , . . . , GN) having a phase difference from one another and outputting the N number of second signals (G 1 , . . . , GN) to the N number of antenna elements (A 1 , . . . , AN), respectively, so that a spiral beam (H) with the equiphase surface inclined spirally is output from the signal emitting means (A).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a wireless signal transmitting antenna, a wireless signal receiving antenna, a wireless signal transmitting system, a wireless signal transmitting method, and a wireless signal receiving method that form signals into spiral beams and wirelessly communicate them.

BACKGROUND ART

Communications in the range of frequencies currently used for wireless communications are approaching the limit. To solve this problem, the communication technology that adds the orbital angular momentum (OAM) to wireless signals to form signals into spiral beams and transmits and receives them is under study. The signals which are formed into spiral beams have the characteristics that the equiphase surface is twisted in a spiral form. By changing the spiral pitch of the equiphase surface of spiral beams, it is possible to form infinite orthogonal mode signals. Therefore, by use of spiral beams for wireless communications, it is possible to perform multiple communications over the same frequency, thereby achieving higher-speed and higher-capacity communications.

The study on communications using signals in spiral beams to which the orbital angular momentum is added is disclosed in Non Patent Literature 1 and Non Patent Literature 2, for example. Non Patent Literature 1 discloses formation of a spiral beam where the orbital angular momentum is added to a signal by use of an OAM antenna 50 having a reflecting unit 51 where a cut is made in a part of a parabolic antenna as shown in FIG. 16. Non Patent Literature 2 discloses the experiment showing that, as a result of forming a spiral beam using the OAM antenna 50 and transmitting a signal, this signal can be received at a receiving point located at a long distance.

CITATION LIST Non Patent Literature

NPL1: “BR witnesses experiment on Radio Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) with potential for drastic improvement in spectrum efficiency”, ITU, Internet (URL: http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/trends/OAM/Pages/default.aspx)

NPL2: Fabrizio Tamburini, and five others, New Journal of Physics 2012 Mar. 1 “Encoding many channels on the same frequency through radio vorticity: first experimental test”, Internet (URL:

-   -   http://iopscience.iop.org/1367-2630/14/3/033001)

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

According to the OAM antenna 50 disclosed in Non Patent Literature 1 and Non Patent Literature 2, it is possible to form a spiral beam and transmit a signal. For actual high-speed and high-capacity communications, multiplexing of a plurality of spiral beams with different spiral pitches is required. However, because the OAM antenna 50 physically forms a spiral beam by using the reflecting unit 51 where a cut is made in a part of a parabolic antenna, it is not possible to change the spiral pitch of the spiral beam. Thus, the OAM antenna disclosed in Non Patent Literature 1 and Non Patent Literature 2 has a problem that it is not possible to form a plurality of spiral beams with different spiral pitches.

An exemplary object of the present invention is to provide a wireless signal transmitting antenna, a wireless signal receiving antenna, a wireless signal transmitting system, a wireless signal transmitting method, and a wireless signal receiving method that can, for wireless communications, form a signal into a spiral beam and change the spiral pitch of the signal, and further can use a plurality of spiral beams with different spiral pitches simultaneously for wireless communications.

Solution to Problem

One exemplary aspect of the present invention is a wireless signal transmitting antenna including a signal emitting means having N number of antenna elements (where N is an integer satisfying N≧2) equally spaced on a circumference of circle; and a signal distribution means for generating, from an input first signal, N number of second signals having a phase difference from one another and outputting the N number of second signals to the N number of antenna elements, respectively, so that a spiral beam with an equiphase surface inclined spirally is output from the signal emitting means.

One exemplary aspect of the present invention is a wireless signal receiving antenna including a signal receiving means having X number of antenna elements (where X is an integer satisfying X≧2) equally spaced on a circumference of circle; and a signal synthesis means for receiving, as X number of second signals, spiral beams with equiphase surfaces inclined spirally received by the signal receiving means from the N number of antenna elements, respectively, adding a phase difference to each of the X number of second signals, and synthesizing and outputting a first signal.

One exemplary aspect of the present invention is a wireless signal transmitting method including generating, from an input first signal, N number of second signals having a phase difference from one another; and outputting the N number of second signals to N number of antenna elements, respectively, so that a spiral beam with an equiphase surface inclined spirally is output from a signal emitting means having the N number of antenna elements (where N is an integer satisfying N≧2) equally spaced on a circumference of circle.

One exemplary aspect of the present invention is a wireless signal receiving method including receiving, as X number of second signals, a spiral beam with equiphase surface received by a signal receiving means having X number of antenna elements (where X is an integer satisfying X≧2) equally spaced on a circumference of circle from the N number of antenna elements, respectively, adding a phase difference to each of the X number of second signals, synthesizing a first signal therefrom and outputting the first signal.

One exemplary aspect of the present invention is a wireless signal transmitting system including a signal emitting means for outputting a transmission signal by N number of antenna elements (where N is an integer satisfying N≧2); and a signal distribution means for generating, from an input first signal, N number of second signals having a phase difference from one another, and outputting the N number of second signals to the N number of antenna elements, respectively, wherein the N number of antenna elements are equally spaced on a circumference of circle.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the wireless signal transmitting antenna, the wireless signal receiving antenna, the wireless signal transmitting system, the wireless signal transmitting method and the wireless signal receiving method according to the exemplary aspects of the present invention, it is possible to form a signal into a spiral beam and change the spiral pitch of the signal for wireless communications, and further to use a plurality of spiral beams with different spiral pitches simultaneously for wireless communications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing the structure of a wireless transmitting antenna according to a first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the principle of a signal distribution circuit using a Butler matrix feeding circuit.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the way a spiral beam is formed by a signal emitting means A.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the principle of a signal distribution circuit using a Butler matrix feeding circuit with a plurality of input ports.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of forming a spiral beam by the wireless transmitting antenna.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the structure of a signal distribution circuit included in a wireless transmitting antenna according to a second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the state where M number of different first signals are input to the wireless transmitting antenna.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of forming M number of different spiral beams by the wireless transmitting antenna.

FIG. 9 is a view showing the structure of a wireless receiving antenna according to a third exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of receiving a spiral beam by the wireless receiving antenna.

FIG. 11 is a view showing the structure of a signal synthesis circuit included in a wireless receiving antenna according to a fourth exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process of receiving M number of different spiral beams by the wireless receiving antenna.

FIG. 13 is a view showing the structure of a wireless transmitting and receiving system according to a fifth exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a modified example of a wireless transmitting antenna according to a seventh exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a view showing the structure of a wireless transmitting antenna according to an eighth exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a view showing an OAM antenna according to related art.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Exemplary Embodiment

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

First Exemplary Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 1, a wireless transmitting antenna (wireless transmitting system) 10 includes a signal emitting means A having N number of antenna elements A1, A2, . . . , AN (where N is an integer of 2 or more) that are equally spaced on the circumference of circle, a signal input port (signal input means) C for inputting first signals S1, . . . , SM, and a signal distribution circuit (signal distribution means) B for distributing the input first signals S1, . . . , SM to N number of second signals S2 with equal power and outputs them to the antenna elements A1, A2, . . . , AN, respectively. By this structure, the wireless transmitting antenna 10 can form and transmit, from the input first signals S1, . . . , SM, a transmission signal in a spiral beam by the antenna elements A1, A2, . . . , AN.

The antenna elements A1, . . . , AN are equally spaced on the circumference of circle with a diameter of 30 cm, for example. Those plurality of antenna elements A1, . . . , AN constitute the signal emitting means A. The signal emitting means A corresponds to the reflecting unit 51, which is a parabolic antenna with a cut shown in FIG. 16. A parabolic antenna may be used as each of the antenna elements A1, . . . , AN, for example. The signal emitting means A and the signal distribution circuit B are connected through a signal waveguide D. The signal waveguide D has N number of signal lines D1, . . . , DN with equal length. The signal lines D1, . . . , DN connect N number of signal emitting ports B1, . . . , BN of the signal distribution circuit B and the antenna elements A1, . . . , AN. Coaxial cables or waveguides may be used as the signal lines D1, . . . , DN.

The signal distribution circuit B distributes the first signal S that is input from any of the plurality of signal input ports C1, . . . , CM to N number of second signals G1, . . . , GN with equal power and emit them from the signal emitting ports B1, . . . , BN. A Butler matrix feeding circuit, for example, may be used as the signal distribution circuit B. The Butler matrix is generally known to be used for changing the direction of transmitting beams.

As shown in FIG. 2, according to the signal distribution circuit B using a Butler matrix feeding circuit, when the first signal S1 is input from the signal input port C1, N number of second signals G1, . . . , GN with equal power are output in a distributed manner from the signal emitting ports B1, . . . , BN. At this time, the signal distribution circuit B adds a phase difference with a linear slope θ1 to the N number of second signals G1, . . . , GN to be emitted from the signal emitting ports B1, . . . , BN. A spiral beam H is formed using such properties. To be specific, the signal lines D1, . . . , DN with equal length are connected from the signal emitting ports B1, . . . , BN to the antenna elements A1, . . . , AN (see FIG. 1).

Further, the antenna elements A1, . . . , AN are equally spaced on the circumference of circle. Thus, when the second signals G1, . . . , GN are emitted from the antenna elements A1, . . . , AN sequentially at specified intervals in a certain twist direction (rightward twist or leftward twist), the spiral beam H is formed from the signal emitting means A as shown in FIG. 3. The direction of twist of the spiral beam is changed according to the correspondence between the antenna elements A1, . . . , AN and the signal lines D1, . . . , DN. The mode of the OAM to form the spiral beam H involves the case of N=2. In the case of N=2, the twist direction may be any of rightward twist and leftward twist. In the case of N=3 or more, the twist direction of the spiral beam H can be determined.

As shown in FIG. 4, the Butler matrix generally has a plurality of signal input ports C1, . . . , CM (where M is a positive integer satisfying M≦N), and by changing the signal input ports C1, . . . , CM for inputting the first signals S1, . . . , SM, it is possible to change the slope ON of a linearly sloped phase difference that appears at the signal emitting ports B1, . . . , BN. For example, the first signal S2 that is input to the signal input port C2 is output as the second signals G1, . . . , GN to which a phase difference with a linear slope θ2 is added. Using such properties, the spiral pitch of the spiral beam H can be changed corresponding to the signal input ports C1, . . . , CM. Thus, it is possible to form a signal to be output from the signal emitting means A as the spiral beam H having the spiral pitch corresponding to the signal input ports C1, . . . , CM, the equiphase surface of which is inclined spirally.

Specifically, the signal distribution circuit B generates, from the input first signal S, the N number of second signals G1, . . . , GN having a phase difference from one another, and outputs the N number of second signals G1, . . . , GN to the N number of antenna elements A1, . . . , AN, respectively, so that the spiral beam H, the equiphase surface of which is inclined spirally, is output from the signal emitting means A. At this time, the signal distribution circuit B distributes the signal so that the second signals G1, . . . , GN having a specified phase difference, the phase difference increasing in incremental steps (by equal differences) in the circumferential direction, are input to the antenna elements A1, . . . , AN that are adjacent in the signal emitting means A. Although an example of using a Butler matrix feeding circuit for the signal distribution circuit B is shown in the above description, any circuit may be used as long as it can output the second signals G1, . . . , GN so that the spiral beam H is formed from each of the antenna elements A1, . . . , AN that are equally spaced on the circumference of circle. Further, the phase differences added to the second signals are not necessarily at equal intervals (at equal differences).

A process of a wireless transmitting method that forms the spiral beam H by the wireless transmitting antenna 10 is briefly described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 5.

In the wireless transmitting antenna 10, the signal distribution circuit B distributes the first signal S that is input to any of the signal input ports C1, . . . , CM into the N number of second signals G1, . . . , GN with equal power (S100). The signal distribution circuit B adds an incremental phase difference to each of the N number of second signals G1, . . . , GN to be output (S101). The signal distribution circuit B distributes the N number of second signals G1, . . . , GN to the N number of antenna elements A1, . . . , AN, respectively, so that the spiral beam H, the equiphase surface of which is inclined spirally, is formed from the signal emitting means A (S102).

As described above, according to the wireless transmitting antenna 10, the signal that is output from each of the antenna elements A1, . . . , AN can be formed as the spiral beam H whose equiphase surface is inclined spirally. Further, according to the wireless transmitting antenna 10, when forming the signal into the spiral beam H, the spiral pitch of the spiral beam H can be changed arbitrarily.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

In the first exemplary embodiment, the signal that is output from each of the antenna elements A1, . . . , AN is formed as the spiral beam having the spiral pitch corresponding to the signal input ports C1, . . . , CM, the equiphase surface of which is inclined spirally, in the wireless transmitting antenna 10. In this exemplary embodiment, a plurality of spiral beams having different spiral pitches are formed using the wireless transmitting antenna 10 for multiplexing communications. In the following description, the same names and symbols are used for the parts that are the same as those in the first exemplary embodiment, and the redundant description is omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 6, the wireless transmitting antenna 10 includes a signal distribution circuit B that has a plurality of signal input ports C1, . . . , CM and a plurality of signal emitting ports B1, . . . , BN. The structure of the signal distribution circuit B which has an 8 (=M) input, 8 (=N) output Butler matrix feeding circuit is shown in this example. When the first signals S1, . . . , SM are input to any of the signal input ports C1, . . . , CM, phase differences with different linear slopes are added thereto, and N number of second signals G1, . . . , GN with equal power are output from the signal emitting ports B1, . . . , BN, respectively (see FIG. 4). Thus, from the input first signal S, M number of spiral beams H1, . . . , HM with different spiral pitches are formed corresponding to the signal input ports C1, . . . , CM.

As shown in FIG. 7, when M number of different first signals S1, . . . , SM are respectively input to the M number of signal input ports C1, . . . , CM, phase differences with different linear slopes θ1, . . . , ON are added respectively to the N number of second signals G1, . . . , GN with equal power corresponding to the signal input ports C1, . . . , CM, and the N number of second signals G1, . . . , GN with equal power are respectively output from the signal emitting ports B1, . . . , BN. The second signals G1, . . . , GN corresponding to the signal input ports C1, . . . , CM are sequentially output from the antenna elements A1, . . . , AN at specified times at equal intervals, and M number of spiral beams H1, . . . , HM with different spiral pitches are thereby formed simultaneously. Therefore, the wireless transmitting antenna 10 can simultaneously multiplex and transmit the plurality of spiral beams H1, . . . , HM.

A process of a wireless transmitting method that forms the plurality of spiral beams H with different spiral pitches by the wireless transmitting antenna 10 is briefly described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 8.

In the wireless transmitting antenna 10, the signal distribution circuit B distributes and outputs each of the M number of different first signals S1, . . . , SM that are input to each of the signal input ports C1, . . . , CM into the N number of second signals G1, . . . , GN with equal power corresponding to the signal input ports C1, . . . , CM (S200). The signal distribution circuit B adds a different incremental phase difference to each of the N number of distributed second signals G1, . . . , GN and outputs them from the signal emitting ports B1, . . . , BN (S201). The signal distribution circuit B distributes the second signals G1, . . . , GN to the N number of antenna elements A1, . . . , AN, respectively, so that the signal emitting means A forms the M number of different spiral beams H, the equiphase surfaces of which are inclined spirally (S202).

As described above, according to the wireless transmitting antenna 10, it is possible to simultaneously multiplex and transmit the plurality of spiral beams H1, . . . , HM.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

An antenna that has the same structure as the wireless transmitting antenna 10 can be used also as a receiving antenna for the wireless transmitting antenna 10.

As shown in FIG. 9, a wireless receiving antenna 20 includes a signal receiving means K having X number of antenna elements K1, . . . , KX (where X is an integer of 2 or more) that are equally spaced on the circumference of circle, a signal synthesis circuit (signal synthesis means) T for synthesizing a first signal Q from X number of second signals P1, . . . , PX with equal power that are received from the antenna elements K1, . . . , KX, respectively, and a signal output means R having Y number of signal output ports R1, . . . , RY (where Y is a positive integer satisfying Y≦X) for outputting the first signal Q. By this structure, the wireless receiving antenna 20 outputs the received spiral beam H as the first signal Q from the signal output ports R1, . . . , RY. The number X of the antenna elements K1, . . . , KX may be greater than the number N of the antenna elements A1, . . . , AN in the wireless transmitting antenna 10.

The antenna elements K1, . . . , KX are equally spaced on the circumference of circle with a diameter of 30 cm, for example. Those plurality of antenna elements K1, . . . , KX constitute the signal receiving means K. A parabolic antenna may be used as each of the antenna elements K1, . . . , KX, for example. The signal receiving means K and the signal synthesis circuit T are connected through a signal waveguide U. The signal waveguide U has X number of signal lines U1, . . . , UX with equal length. The signal lines U1, . . . , UX connect X number of signal input ports V1, . . . , VX of the signal synthesis circuit T and the antenna elements K1, . . . , KX. Coaxial cables or waveguides may be used as the signal lines U1, . . . , UX.

The signal synthesis circuit T synthesizes a signal from the second signals P1, . . . , PX with equal power that are input from the plurality of signal input ports V1, . . . , VX and outputs the synthesized signal as the first signal Q from any of the signal output ports R1, . . . , RY in accordance with the spiral pitch of the spiral beam H. A Butler matrix feeding circuit may be used as the signal synthesis circuit T, for example. The signal synthesis circuit T has the same structure as the signal distribution circuit B in the wireless transmitting antenna 10 (see FIG. 2). Thus, if the second signals P1, . . . , PX are input to the signal distribution circuit B in an opposite manner, the first signal Q is synthesized and output, which is the operation of the signal synthesis circuit T. Therefore, the wireless receiving antenna 20 can output the spiral beam H as the first signal Q by the operation opposite to the operation of the wireless transmitting antenna 10.

Specifically, the spiral beam whose equiphase surface is inclined spirally which is received by the signal receiving means K having the X number of antenna elements K1, . . . , KX equally spaced on the circumference of circle is input as the X number of second signals P1, . . . , PX to the signal synthesis circuit T from the N number of antenna elements K1, . . . , KX, respectively, and the signal synthesis circuit T adds a phase difference to each of the X number of second signals P1, . . . , PX, synthesizes the first signal Q therefrom, and outputs the first signal Q. Then, the signal synthesis circuit T adds a specified phase difference to the X number of second signals P1, . . . , PX that are input from the antenna elements adjacent in the signal receiving means K so that the phase difference decreases in decremental steps in the circumferential direction.

Although an example of using a Butler matrix feeding circuit for the signal synthesis circuit T is shown in the above description, any circuit may be used as long as it can receive the spiral beam H from each of the antenna elements K1, . . . , KX equally spaced on the circumference of circle and output the first signal Q. Further, the phase differences to be added to the second signals P1, . . . , PX are not necessarily at equal intervals.

A process of receiving the spiral beam H by the wireless receiving antenna 20 is described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 10.

When the spiral beam H is transmitted from the wireless transmitting antenna 10, the wireless receiving antenna 20 sequentially receives the second signals P1, . . . , PX in a certain twist direction from the X number of antenna elements K1, . . . , KX, respectively, that are equally spaced on the circumference of circle (S300). Because an incremental phase difference has been added to each of the second signals P1, . . . , PX, the signal synthesis circuit T adds a decremental phase difference, inversely to the incremental phase difference, to each of the second signals P1, . . . , PX and synthesizes therefrom (S301). The signal synthesis circuit T outputs the first signal Q from any of the signal output ports R1, . . . , RY (S302).

As described above, according to the wireless receiving antenna 20, it is possible to output the received spiral beam H as the first signal Q.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

The wireless receiving antenna 20 can receive Y number of multiplexed spiral beams H with different spiral pitches that are transmitted by the wireless transmitting antenna 10 in the second exemplary embodiment and output them as Y number of first signals Q. In the following description, the same names and symbols are used for the parts that are the same as those in the other exemplary embodiments, and the redundant description is omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 11, the wireless receiving antenna 20 includes a signal synthesis circuit T having a plurality of signal input ports V1, . . . , VX and a plurality of signal output ports R1, . . . , RY. The structure of the signal synthesis circuit T that has a Butler matrix feeding circuit where X=8 and Y=8 is shown in this example. The signal synthesis circuit T has the same structure as the signal distribution circuit B in the second embodiment. Specifically, when the signal synthesis circuit T receives Y number of spiral beams with different spiral pitches, it adds linear phase differences having slopes that are inverse of the slopes corresponding to the signal output ports R1, . . . , RY to the X number of received second signals P1, . . . , PX, respectively, synthesizes the Y number of first signals Q therefrom, and outputs the Y number of first signals Q from the signal output ports R1, . . . , RY, respectively, by the opposite operation to the signal distribution circuit B.

A process of receiving signals containing Y number of spiral beams H with different spiral pitches by the wireless receiving antenna 20 is described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 12.

When the Y number of spiral beams H with different spiral pitches are transmitted from the wireless transmitting antenna 10, the wireless receiving antenna 20 receives the second signals P1, . . . , PX in a certain twist direction respectively from the X number of antenna elements K1, . . . , KX that are equally spaced on the circumference of circle (S400). Because an incremental phase difference has been added to the second signals P1, . . . , PX, the signal synthesis circuit T adds a decremental phase difference, inversely to the incremental phase difference, to each of the second signals P1, . . . , PX and synthesizes the first signals Q therefrom (S401). The signal synthesis circuit T outputs the Y number of first signals Q from the signal output ports R1, . . . , RY (S402).

As described above, according to the wireless receiving antenna 20, it is possible to receive the Y number of multiplexed spiral beams H with different spiral pitches that are transmitted by the wireless transmitting antenna 10 and output them as the Y number of first signals Q.

Fifth Exemplary Embodiment

By the wireless transmitting antenna 10 and the wireless receiving antenna 20 described above, it is possible to wirelessly transmit and receive signals using the spiral beams H.

As shown in FIG. 13, a wireless transmitting and receiving system 100 includes the wireless transmitting antenna 10 and the wireless receiving antenna 20. According to the wireless transmitting and receiving system 100, it is possible to transmit and receive signals containing Y number of multiplexed spiral beams H with different spiral pitches.

Sixth Exemplary Embodiment

As described in Non Patent Literature 2, the spiral beam H increases in outside diameter like a torus as the transmitting and receiving distance becomes longer. On the other hand, the diameter of the circumference where the antenna elements K1, . . . , KX are placed of the wireless receiving antenna 20 may be changed based on the transmitting and receiving distance. For example, the diameter of the circumference of the wireless receiving antenna 20 may be enlarged when the transmitting and receiving distance is long. Further, in order to suppress an increase in the outside diameter of the spiral beam H, the diameter of the circumference where the antenna elements A1, . . . , AN are placed of the wireless transmitting antenna 10 may be changed based on the transmitting and receiving distance. For example, the diameter of the circumference of the wireless transmitting antenna 10 may be enlarged when the transmitting and receiving distance is long.

Seventh Exemplary Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 14, the antenna elements A1, . . . , AN of the wireless transmitting antenna 10 may be a sub-array of an array antenna, instead of a parabolic antenna, which forms a wireless transmitting antenna 40. Likewise, the antenna elements K1, . . . , KX of the wireless receiving antenna 20 may be a sub-array of an array antenna, instead of a parabolic antenna (not shown).

Eighth Exemplary Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 15, a wireless transmitting antenna 30 includes M number of other signal input ports Z1, . . . , ZN for inputting M number of different other first signals W orthogonal to the first signal S for forming a spiral beam J which is an orthogonally polarized wave of the spiral beam H transmitted by the wireless transmitting antenna 10, and another signal distribution circuit E that receives other first signals W and outputs N number of other second signals F1, . . . , FN orthogonal to the second signals G1, . . . , GN. The wireless transmitting antenna 30 can thereby transmit a spiral beam I with VH-polarized waves. With use of a wireless receiving antenna (not shown) having the same structure as the wireless transmitting antenna 30, it is possible to receive the spiral beam I with VH-polarized waves and output M number of first signals and M number of different other first signals.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiment and may be varied in many ways within the scope of the present invention. For example, for the antenna elements A1, . . . , AN and the antenna elements K1, . . . , KX, dipole antennas, helix antenna or horn antennas may be used, for example, besides those described in the above exemplary embodiments. Further, for the antenna elements K1, . . . , KX at the receiving end, Yagi antennas may be used.

Although the present invention is described as a hardware configuration in the above exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention may be implemented by performing given processing by DSP (Digital Signal Processing), and it can be implemented by executing a program on DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or implemented with a logic circuit configured on FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

The program can be stored and provided to the computer using any type of non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium includes any type of tangible storage medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer readable medium include magnetic storage media (such as floppy disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives, etc.), optical magnetic storage media (e.g. magneto-optical disks), CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R, CD-R/W, and semiconductor memories (such as mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.). The program may be provided to a computer using any type of transitory computer readable medium. Examples of the transitory computer readable medium include electric signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The transitory computer readable medium can provide the program to a computer via a wired communication line such as an electric wire or optical fiber or a wireless communication line.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   10 WIRELESS TRANSMITTING ANTENNA -   20 WIRELESS RECEIVING ANTENNA -   30 WIRELESS TRANSMITTING ANTENNA -   40 WIRELESS TRANSMITTING ANTENNA -   50 OAM ANTENNA -   51 REFLECTING UNIT -   100 WIRELESS TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING SYSTEM -   A SIGNAL EMITTING MEANS -   A1, . . . , AN ANTENNA ELEMENT -   B SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION CIRCUIT -   B1, . . . , BN SIGNAL EMITTING PORT -   C1, . . . , CM SIGNAL INPUT PORT -   D SIGNAL WAVEGUIDE -   D1, . . . , DN SIGNAL LINE -   E SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION CIRCUIT -   F1, . . . , FN OTHER SECOND SIGNAL -   G1, . . . , GN SECOND SIGNAL -   H SPIRAL BEAM -   H1, . . . , HM SPIRAL BEAM -   I SPIRAL BEAM -   J SPIRAL BEAM -   K SIGNAL RECEIVING MEANS -   K1, . . . , KX ANTENNA ELEMENT -   M INTEGER -   N INTEGER -   P1, . . . , PX SECOND SIGNAL -   Q FIRST SIGNAL -   R SIGNAL OUTPUT MEANS -   R1, . . . , RY SIGNAL OUTPUT PORT -   S1, . . . , SM FIRST SIGNAL -   T SIGNAL SYNTHESIS CIRCUIT -   W FIRST SIGNAL -   X INTEGER -   Y INTEGER -   Z1, . . . , ZN SIGNAL INPUT PORT 

1. A wireless signal transmitting antenna comprising: a signal emitter configured to have N number of antenna elements (where N is an integer satisfying N≧2) equally spaced on a circumference of circle; and a signal distributor configured to generate, from an input first signal, N number of second signals having a phase difference from one another, and output the N number of second signals to the N number of antenna elements, respectively, so that a spiral beam with an equiphase surface inclined spirally is output from the signal emitter.
 2. The wireless signal transmitting antenna according to claim 1, wherein the signal distributor distributes signals so that second signals having a specified phase difference, the phase difference increasing in incremental steps in the circumferential direction, are input to the antenna elements adjacent in the signal emitter.
 3. The wireless signal transmitting antenna according to claim 2, wherein when M number of different first signals (where M is an integer satisfying M≦N) are input, the signal distributor generates and outputs the second signals to the N number of antenna elements, respectively, so that M number of different spiral beams are output from the signal emitter.
 4. The wireless signal transmitting antenna according to claim 3, further comprising: another signal distributor configured to receive M number of different other first signals orthogonal to the first signal, and output N number of other second signals orthogonal to the second signals so that orthogonally polarized waves of the spiral beam are formed by the signal emitter.
 5. The wireless signal transmitting antenna according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the circumference where the antenna elements are placed is changed based on a signal transmitting and receiving distance.
 6. A wireless signal receiving antenna comprising: a signal receiver configured to have X number of antenna elements (where X is an integer satisfying X≧2) equally spaced on a circumference of circle; and a first signal synthesizer configured to receive, as X number of second signals, spiral beams with equiphase surfaces inclined spirally received by the signal receiver from the X number of antenna elements, respectively, add a phase difference to each of the X number of second signals, synthesize a first signal, and output the first signal.
 7. The wireless signal receiving antenna according to claim 6, wherein the first signal synthesizer adds a specified phase difference to the X number of second signals input from the antenna elements adjacent in the signal receiver so that the phase difference decreases in decremental steps in the circumferential direction.
 8. The wireless signal receiving antenna according to claim 7, wherein when the signal receiver receives Y number of different spiral beams (where Y is an integer satisfying Y≦X), the first signal synthesizer receives second signals from the X number of antenna elements, respectively, and generates Y number of different first signals.
 9. The wireless signal receiving antenna according to claim 8, further comprising: a second signal synthesizer configured to output an another first signal orthogonal to the first signal when the signal receiver receives orthogonally polarized waves of the spiral beams.
 10. The wireless signal receiving antenna according to claim 6, wherein a diameter of the circumference where the antenna elements are placed is changed based on a signal transmitting and receiving distance.
 11. A wireless signal transmitting system comprising: a signal emitter configured to output a transmission signal by N number of antenna elements (where N is an integer satisfying N≧2); and a signal distributor configured to generate, from an input first signal, N number of second signals having a phase difference from one another, and output the N number of second signals to the N number of antenna elements, respectively, wherein the N number of antenna elements are equally spaced on a circumference of circle.
 12. The wireless signal transmitting system according to claim 11, wherein when M number of different first signals (where M is an integer satisfying M≦N) are input, the signal distributor generates and outputs the second signals to the N number of antenna elements, respectively, so that M number of different transmission signals are output from the signal emitter.
 13. The wireless signal transmitting system according to claim 11, wherein the signal emitter outputs an OAM transmission signal.
 14. The wireless signal transmitting system according to claim 11, wherein the signal emitter outputs a transmission signal with an equiphase surface inclined spirally.
 15. A wireless signal transmitting method comprising: generating, from an input first signal, N number of second signals having a phase difference from one another; and outputting the N number of second signals to N number of antenna elements, respectively, so that a spiral beam with an equiphase surface inclined spirally is output from a signal emitter having the N number of antenna elements (where N is an integer satisfying N≧2) equally spaced on a circumference of circle.
 16. The wireless signal transmitting method according to claim 15, wherein signals are distributed so that second signals having a specified phase difference, the phase difference increasing in incremental steps in the circumferential direction, are input to the antenna elements adjacent in the signal emitter.
 17. The wireless signal transmitting method according to claim 16, wherein when M number of different first signals (where M is an integer satisfying M≦N) are input, the second signals are generated and output to the N number of antenna elements, respectively, so that M number of different spiral beams are output from the signal emitter.
 18. The wireless signal transmitting method according to claim 17, comprising: receiving M number of different other first signals orthogonal to the first signal and outputting N number of other second signals orthogonal to the second signals so that orthogonally polarized waves of the spiral beam are formed by the signal emitter.
 19. The wireless signal transmitting method according to claim 15, wherein a diameter of the circumference where the antenna elements are placed is changed based on a signal transmitting and receiving distance.
 20. A wireless signal receiving method comprising: receiving, as X number of second signals, spiral beams with equiphase surfaces inclined spirally received by a signal receiver having X number of antenna elements (where X is an integer satisfying X≧2) equally spaced on a circumference of circle from the X number of antenna elements, respectively, adding a phase difference to each of the X number of second signals, synthesizing a first signal therefrom, and outputting the first signal.
 21. The wireless signal receiving method according to claim 20, wherein a specified phase difference is added to the X number of second signals input from the antenna elements adjacent in the signal receiver so that the phase difference decreases in decremental steps in the circumferential direction.
 22. The wireless signal receiving method according to claim 21, wherein when Y number of different spiral beams (where Y is an integer satisfying Y≦X) are received by the signal receiver, second signals are input from the Y number of antenna elements, respectively, and Y number of different first signals are generated.
 23. The wireless signal receiving method according to claim 22, comprising: outputting another first signal orthogonal to the first signal when orthogonally polarized waves of the spiral beams are received by the signal receiver.
 24. The wireless signal receiving method according to claim 20, wherein a diameter of the circumference where the antenna elements are placed is changed based on a signal transmitting and receiving distance. 